US will not consult Iran on military action in Iraq

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said Monday it is open to discussions with Iran on the crisis in Iraq but ruled out consulting with Tehran on any potential military action.

President Barack Obama's administration appeared to back off of earlier comments from Secretary of State John Kerry, who had suggested in an interview that Washington might be willing to consider military cooperation with Tehran to counter the onslaught of Sunni extremists in Iraq.

Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said "there is absolutely no intention, no plan to coordinate military activities between the United States and Iran."

State Department spokesman Jen Pskai wrote in a tweet: "To be clear: Open to political conversation with Iran re threat from ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), not military cooperation."